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As we learn in the books:

“The only people who can see thestrals,” [Luna] said, “are people who have seen death.”

— Order of the Phoenix, chapter 21 (The Eye of the Snake)

Muggles see, and are touched by, death just as often as wizards would be. Now, the first step to seeing a thestral is being near one. But during the course of the Harry Potter books thestrals were flying over London several times.

In fact, there are two thestrals walking around Privet Drive prior to the Battle of the Seven Potters. Fleur Delacour with Bill Weasley, and Hermione Granger with Kingsley Shacklebolt both left on thestrals and they were all inside for several minutes while the steed were out front. Given that Little Whinging isn't a wizard enclave it is certainly possible someone saw them.

So given that, is it possible for a muggle to see a thestral if they have “seen death”?

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42

I would say yes.

Three pieces of supporting evidence:

  1. Using Thestrals for transport is a serious breach of the Statute of Secrecy.

    From the first WOMBAT (transcript on HP Lexicon), if we assume that it isn’t a trick question, then we learn that Thestrals can’t be used for transport:

    Which of the following unorthodox means of transportation is considered the most serious breach of the International Statue [sic] of Secrecy?

    a. Thestrals
    b. Abraxan horse-drawn giant carriage
    c. Hippogriff
    d. Flying Muggle vehicle (eg, car, motorcycle)
    e. Underwater ship

    Using Thestrals to fly is only a risk if somebody can actually see the Thestral or its rider. Since this is being held up as a potentially serious breach of secrecy, I think it means that Muggles would have some chance of seeing the Thestral.

    (As you point out, Harry et al used Thestrals to reach the Ministry in Order, then they were used again to escort Harry in Hallows. So why weren’t they arrested for the latter?)

  2. It sounds like their owners are required to hide them in Muggle-populated areas.

    Thestrals are a breed of winged horse, whose entry in Fantastic Beasts reads:

    Winged horses exist worldwide. There are many different breeds, including […] the rare Thestral (black, possessed of the power of invisibility and considered unlucky by many wizards). As with the Hippogriff, the owner of a winged horse is required to perform a Disillusionment Charm upon it at regular intervals.

    If Thestrals were truly invisible to Muggles, then there would be no need to cast Disillusionment Charms upon them. Since no exception is mentioned for Thestrals, we may assume that any Muggle who has seen death can also see Thestrals.

  3. J.K. Rowling can see Thestrals.

    She was asked this in an interview after the publication of Order of the Phoenix:

    In the fifth book, Harry can see the Thestrals. Can you?

    Yes, I can, definitely.

    — J.K. Rowling at the Edinburgh Book Festival (August 2004)

    Since J.K. Rowling is a Muggle[citation-needed] and does not mention any special case for Muggles, or indicate that one exists, we must assume that Muggles really can see Thestrals.

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  • 41
    +1 just for stating that a citation is needed around JKR being a muggle.
    – user20155
    Commented Aug 4, 2014 at 5:53
  • 8
    "Using Thestrals to fly is only a risk if somebody can actually see the Thestral or its rider." I disagree. If a Muggle can't see the Thestral, he could still see a wizard flying without any apparent support, and that would also be a wizarding secrecy problem.
    – b_jonas
    Commented Aug 4, 2014 at 8:00
  • @b_jonas: I agree; perhaps my wording was unclear, but I meant “the Thestral or its rider” to cover that possibility.
    – alexwlchan
    Commented Aug 4, 2014 at 8:08
  • 3
    @LegoStormtroopr a citation certainly is needed, especially considering the theory that J.K. Rowling is Rita Skeeter!
    – user11521
    Commented Aug 4, 2014 at 17:33
  • 1
    @b_jonas - Looks like we are in need of a Is JKR a muggle question.
    – ibid
    Commented Aug 29, 2017 at 20:46
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Yes they probably can see them.

Due to their classification as XXXX, only experienced wizards (or Hagrid) should try to handle Thestrals. Breeding as well as owning these beasts may be discouraged or even illegal without Ministry consent; in fact, wizards that live in areas not protected against Muggles are forced by law to perform Disillusionment Charms on their Thestrals regularly.

From FBAWTFT pg 42

.."and the rare Thestral(black, possesed of the power of invisiblity, and considered unlucky by many wizards). As with the Hippogriff, the owner of a winged horse is required to perform a Disillusionment Charm upon it at regular intervals....

Also, read the M.OM. Classifications on pg.xxii A winged horse has a classification of xx-xxxx

xx Harmless/may be domesticated

xxx Competent wizard should cope

xxxx Dangerous/ requires specialist knowledge/ skilled wizard may handle

This is just to understand the classes. A winged horse is a Thestral and why would a charm be needed if muggles can't see them.

This is related.

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